Managerial optimism and search

Papenhausen, Chris

doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2009.05.007

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Building on research on the impact of PsyCap's individual components in the strategic decision-making context (e.g. Papenhausen, 2010; Polivy and Herman, 2002; Stone, 1994), we argue that PsyCap exerts an inverted curvilinear effect on strategic decision outcomes. While PsyCap's components drive motivated efforts towards goal achievement (Avey et al , 2011; Luthans et al , 2007), excessive levels of self-efficacy (Beck and Schmidt, 2012; Stone, 1994), optimism (Papenhausen, 2010; Segerstrom, 2001) or hope (Polivy and Herman, 2002) might induce extreme confidence in goal achievement, which could reduce effort and negatively affect strategic decision outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…This is surprising, as research on PsyCap's components (e.g. Papenhausen, 2010;Polivy and Herman, 2002;Stone, 1994) indicates that it might constitute a particularly relevant individual-level driver of strategic decision outcomes.…”

Section: Strategic Decision Outcomes 303mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Similar effects have been reported in research on optimism – PsyCap's second component. Papenhausen (2010) uses a strategy simulation task to show that the effort invested in information search focused on achieving intended outcomes is highest at moderate levels of optimism. Highly optimistic individuals, in contrast, tend to be extremely confident in the likelihood of their own success (Papenhausen, 2010).…”

Section: Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Papenhausen (2010) uses a strategy simulation task to show that the effort invested in information search focused on achieving intended outcomes is highest at moderate levels of optimism. Highly optimistic individuals, in contrast, tend to be extremely confident in the likelihood of their own success (Papenhausen, 2010). Therefore, they reduce their efforts to pursue a goal (Scheier and Carver, 1992).…”

Section: Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Psychological capital and strategic decision outcomes

Kiegler¹,

Wulf²,

Nolzen³

et al. 2021

JSMA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeA large body of research has analyzed individual psychological characteristics as antecedents of strategic decision-making. However, this research has mainly focused on trait-based characteristics that explain impaired strategic decision outcomes. Recently, PsyCap has been proposed as an alternative driver of strategic decision outcomes that, in contrast to other drivers, can be influenced by management.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on research on psychological capital (PsyCap), a psychological construct conceptualized as a state-like individual strength that is malleable, the authors argue that PsyCap exerts an inverted curvilinear effect on strategic decision outcomes. The authors use a computerized strategic decision simulation involving 102 managers to empirically test our hypotheses.FindingsThe authors show that PsyCap improves strategic decision outcomes up to an inflection point, after which it negatively affects those outcomes. The authors also show that this effect is mediated by heuristic information processing.Research limitations/implicationsFor the empirical study the authors relied on a sample of 102 practicing managers from the financial services industry in Germany.Practical implicationsPsyCap has been shown to be malleable through, for instance, micro-interventions and dedicated web-based trainings. Therefore, depending on managers' PsyCap levels, either further increases in PsyCap or a regulation of this characteristic might be appropriate in order to optimize strategic decision outcomes.Social implicationsAs a state-like individual strength that is malleable, PsyCap might serve as a management characteristic that is particularly important in challenging situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to research on strategic decision making by introducing PsyCap as an important antecedent of strategic decision outcomes that – in contrast to other individual characteristics – is state-like and, hence, malleable.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Strategic Decision Outcomes 303mentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Psychological capital and strategic decision outcomes

Kiegler¹,

Wulf²,

Nolzen³

et al. 2021

JSMA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In general, optimism influences individual behavior in positive ways (Carver, Scheier, & Segerstrom, 2010). In business contexts, optimism has been found to enhance managers' search for ways to improve performance (Papenhausen, 2010).…”

Section: Conceptual Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of managerial optimism and self-regulation on learning and business growth expectations within an emerging economic context

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper examines psychological and behavioral mechanisms that underlie business growth expectations by examining how managerial optimism and selfregulatory focus influence learning behaviors. To empirically examine these relationships, the study situates in a resource-constrained business context by studying managers in two Pacific Island economies. Results indicate that a positive view toward gains encourages exploratory learning in unknown situations; whereas, a less optimistic disposition and avoidance are related to exploitative learning. This finding is consequential as managerial learning that leans toward development of new insights and possibilities is associated with greater business growth expectations versus learning that adheres

show abstract

Well-Being at Work: A Balanced Approach to Positive Organizational Studies

Gruman¹,

Choi²

2020

The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well-Being

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Managerial optimism and search

Cited by 15 publications

References 37 publications

Psychological capital and strategic decision outcomes

Psychological capital and strategic decision outcomes

The influence of managerial optimism and self-regulation on learning and business growth expectations within an emerging economic context

Well-Being at Work: A Balanced Approach to Positive Organizational Studies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About